Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been reading and asking questions so I would be able to breed my pair this season. I have my pair seperated, male in a underbed rubbermaid with human heat pad and the female is in a wooden 4x2x2 cage heated with light bulb. Problem is I hear I need to cool so I put a lesser watt bulb and totally take away heat at night but at night it will be too cold can get in the 50,s. Now what I thought is that I need to put the radiator portable heater on now, get a piece of heat tape and put under wooden cage opposit side of bulb connect the heat tape to $30 thermostat. Now with this I hear I have to either be able to lower setting for night drop or get 2 $30 thermostat one for day and one for night temp or get something like a Helix. Now as far as changing for night temp I cant cause i work at night so I wont be able to adjust settings like clock work. My pair are in my room in basement and the basement is not heated like the rest of the house. Now with this info what are your suggestions on what I need to do to be able to breed my pair. I didnt want to spend $80 or so for a thermostat if I must I May be able to get myself to do so. Also is helix the only thermostat with auto night drop, the thing I like about some of the new thermostats is the strip outlet attached so you can hook several items to the one thermostat

Well in my opinion and experiences, you don't really need to drop the temps, just the daytime light cycle will do.
I leave my temps at 82-cool side, 90ish-hot side /year around, day and night. Right now, every female that I own (that is old enough) has either been bred, or is currently breeding. If you're using a heat lamp that emits light, then you would want to switch to ceramic bulbs, or another source of heat.
-----Thanks David

I would have to agree with David!I never reduced the heat on my boa's,I only reduced the lites a half an hour each week for three weeks an had no problems at all!Thanks Eric[Hypoboa]

Ok should I get some heat tape or a ceramic heat emmiter which would be best? I want something to put out enought heat I will get a thermostat but I dont want something that will end up not putting enough heat out, I had heat emitters but I have no experience with the heat tape. Thanks a whole lot for your replies guys I really appreciate it

The 11 inch flex watt heat tape would be better than the emitter in my opinion,because you can control the heat alot better with a reostat or like you mentioned a thermastat!Hope this helps in your decision!Thanks Eric[Hypoboa]

You need to take care of, is the Room Temp. in your basement, temp.'s in the 50's is way to cold you need to get your room temp.'s to the mid to upper 70's 75 to 78 degree's no lower at anytime. If you cant maintain those temp.'s in your basement you need to move your collection to a heated room.
Have A Good One ! !
Kenneth

Here's a web-site with some "Good Info." that might help you. Go to www.classreptilia.com click on (The Collection) then click on(Boidae) then click on (Boidae Husbandry) there's some real good info. that might help you in your Breeding Project !
Good Luck ! & Have A Good One !
Kenneth

If the room is too cold, your thermostat will be on overdrive to keep the cages warm. The type of cage heating device is based on personal preference. I currently use ceramic bulbs (for the last 9 years), but I'm probably making a switch to some heat panels from pro exotics that I've been reading about. Also, after I know that I have a gravid female, I also put in a heat pad made for dog houses,on the warm side of the cage. I notice the snakes resting on parts of it once or twice a days. It max's out at 95 degrees. Good luck. -----David